New Year’s for a Cause

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November 28, 2018

Deep Space Lounge’s Gala Rings in 2019 with Benefit for Parker Teen Who Lost Battle with Cancer

Article Jennifer Starbuck | Photography Roger Ballard Photography

Deep Space Event Center owners Ray and Antoinette Engelke are ready to christen their newly opened Deep Space Lounge with a bang of a party on New Year’s Eve. And the first people they thought of to help celebrate were the families they have been close to since the time their children danced with the Colorado School of Dance in Parker.

The families spent lots of time together, traveling across the state and country at dance competitions and events. That’s why the Engelkes decided to make their Deep Space Lounge New Year’s Eve Gala a benefit for Dalton’s Moon Foundation, created by Karen and Gary Levine, whose son Dalton, danced with the company and died in December 2016 after battling cancer for about two years.

Ray says Dalton’s death was devastating for everyone in their dance community. Dalton was a competitive dancer and accomplished violinist, and he graduated with honors from Legend High School, despite undergoing surgeries and other treatments. He had been accepted to several universities and had decided on the University of Colorado-Boulder with plans to eventually become a doctor. But he died before he was able to start school there.

“Even now that our kids aren’t dancing anymore, the first people we go to for anything is the dance families. That’s how close our families are,” Antoinette says.

Ray and Antoinette say they want to keep Dalton’s enthusiastic spirit alive with their gala benefit. Karen Levine, Dalton’s mother, says Dalton was so vibrant with his kindness, his music and his dance, and the foundation is a way for him to keep giving to the world.

“When people give, I say I can’t thank you enough, because we give it all back to the community,” Karen says.

DEEP SPACE LOUNGE NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

A BENEFIT FOR: Dalton’s Moon Foundation

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31

TICKETS: $75 per person, which includes an upscale buffet dinner provided by Rory’s Catering, live music by Blinker Fluid Band, dancing and party favors. Cash bar available.